When he turned 21 and completed NS, I told him he had to become more gentlemanly because he was an adult now. I gave him magazines to read to understand women better and patiently encouraged him. He learnt to apologise when he made mistakes, even small ones, like being late for an appointment. That was significant; Pete had a massive ego.

It took him eight months to manage his anger and stop hitting me. I could tell he put in the effort to change; even his friends noticed it. I even told myself: “Wow. I actually made a strong-headed man give in to me and treat me like a lady.”

His newfound maturity also showed when he helped to care for my cousin’s baby girl while she lived with my family. He doted on her like she was his own. For six months, he changed her diapers and soothed her when she woke up crying.

I know fathers who don’t do these things. That touched me. We started to make more decisions as a couple. He would seek my advice and approval when he bought things for himself.

Eventually, he proposed, eight-and-a-half years into the relationship. He simply said: “We’ll get married in three years, I promise you.” Being a devoted girlfriend, that was music to my ears.

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Get a copy of the March 2010 issue of Her World, Singapore’s No. 1 women’s magazine. Her World, published by SPH Magazines, is available at all newsstands now. Jaclyn Lim, Angeline Tse, Zarelda Marie Goh & Gladys Chung are  features writers with Her World magazine by SPH Magazines. Check out more stories at Her World online, www.herworld.com